The Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae (LIMC)

Already in 1969/1970 Prof. Lilly KAHIL† (Paris/Fribourg) took the first steps to create a Lexicon in which illustrations of classical mythology would be presented in their entirety. At her initiative the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique organized a Round Table in Paris in December 1971, attended by scholars from different countries especially interested in questions of mythology. Many outstanding scholars have supported this project from the beginning. By 1972 the enterprise was already underway and several academies, research centres and research funds, among them the Swiss National Science Foundation, had guaranteed their collaboration. On 24th November 1972 the Foundation for the LIMC was formed in Geneva and established in Basel in 1983.

Scholars from several countries have taken the presidential chair in succession: Professors Olivier REVERDIN†, Switzerland (1973-1981), Nikolaos YALOURIS, Greece (1981-1985), Jean POUILLOUX†, France (1985-1989), Pierre GRIMAL†, France (1989), Jean LECLANT, France (1990), Giovannangelo CAMPOREALE, Italy (1991-1995), Vassilis LAMBRINOUDAKIS, Greece (1995-2006), and at present Richard G. A. BUXTON, Great Britain. From the beginning until May 1997 Prof. Lilly KAHIL† managed the organization as Secretary-General and was then appointed Honorary Secretary-General; her successors are Prof. Jean Ch. BALTY (Paris/Brussels) (June 1997-2005) and since August 2005 Prof. Antoine HERMARY (Aix-en-Provence). Prof. Herbert A. CAHN† (Basel) was the Treasurer until 1999 and then became Honorary Treasurer, succeded in the same year by Prof. Peter BLOME (Basel).

The scientific work is supervised by the Editorial Board currently consisting of ten members: Professors Jean Ch. BALTY (since 1982), Sir John BOARDMAN (since 1973), Richard G. A. BUXTON (since 2003), Giovannangelo CAMPOREALE (since 1997), Fulvio CANCIANI (since 1975), Antoine HERMARY (since 2005), Tonio HÖLSCHER (since 1997), Vassilis LAMBRINOUDAKIS (since 1980), John SCHEID (since 2006), Erika SIMON (since 1973); earlier members were: Ernst BERGER† (1985-1997), Philippe BRUNEAU† (1973-2001), Fritz GRAF (1997-2005), Lilly KAHIL† (1973-1997), Nikolaos KONTOLEON† (1974-1975), Nikolaos YALOURIS (1976-1979).

 

Documentation centres were created in several countries to collect information. The Central Editorial Office has been located in Basel since 1973, connected editorial offices are in Athens, Paris, Heidelberg and Würzburg. Altogether 33 countries are involved in the scholarly activities of the Foundation.

 

The acknowledgments received by the Foundation for the LIMC are equally international: for example the nomination as “Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)” by UNESCO in 1989 and awards from the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres from the Institut de France in Paris (1985 and 1988) and from the Fondation Prince Louis de Polignac (1998).

 

A project of this size was only possible through secure and long term financing; all member states of the Foundation Council have contributed to it and important contributions were made by the J. Paul Getty Trust (Los Angeles), partner to the Foundation for the LIMC since 1984. The J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles) is the publisher of the 5 volumes and the Indices of the Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum (ThesCRA) (2004-2006). Lately, also the Greek Ministry of Culture has been financially supporting the Foundation. A large number of academies, research centres, foundations, corporations and private supporters have also joined the financepool.